an Iker interview & Castilla news

Marca interviewed Iker the other day when he went to their offices, and today they published the first part of the interview which focuses on the season and the effects of the clásico, along with a cute cover of Iker clutching all the trophies he’s ever won. Tomorrow’s segment will have Iker speaking about the future and certain names.

Highlights from the interview, favorite quotes given the blockquote treatment:

What are the best thing and the worst thing from this season?

The best thing is that the team has gained confidence. We’re a squad with young players and we used this first year to gain confidence. I believe we should all be happy that we managed to win a title, even though it might be the least flashy one, because of the way we won it, against Barcelona in the final, and eliminating Atleti and Sevilla.

The team has responded well to expectations. In the Liga, we’re second and in the Champions, Real Madrid has returned to the semifinals, among the top four teams in Europe. The worst thing has been everything that was said, both good and bad, during the four clásicos.

Do you think there was too much tension?

Yes, because there are more press and media outlets each time. Imagine how much is said when there are four clásicos in 20 days. On our part, we’re going to continue looking forward, and begin planning the new season. We don’t have to reflect any more on this.

Are the pieces to break Barcelona’s hegemony in place?

I believe so. We want the next season to begin already because we were left with a bad taste in our mouths.

Real Madrid is a world-class brand. Is it normal that the greatest team in the world talks about things that have nothing to do with football, such as the schedules, the referees…

I believe that when these topics were spoken about, there were solid arguments to back them. When the míster comes out and says something, it’s because he’s convinced of what he’s going to say and he knows what he wants to say.

This escudo weighs heavily and if in any moment you say something that it not well-received, the entire institution is behind you, it’s not just José Mourinho alone.

Do you feel persecuted by UEFA?

I already said it. The entire world saw some images and if UEFA says something else, what more can I say? The bad thing would be if a player says something disrespectful in an upcoming game and is sanctioned. I’m not asking for anything for my teammate, who is also a friend, but there are images.

Those who defend him and say he didn’t say that (mono), I think they must be blind.

When I make a mistake, I admit it. During that game against Barcelona, I touched my face with my hand several times and I admit I was wrong to do that. It was in the heat of the moment because there was a lot at stake. It’s a Barça-Madrid game, the gateway to a final and in a certain moment you get riled up. I don’t know if Marcelo said anything to Busquets, but the cameras caught Sergio. That’s why I say I don’t understand.

Has the unwritten code that what happens on the field stays on the field been broken?

Well, the press is partly to blame for that. That’s my opinion. It’s very morboso for the media to have four clásicos in 20 days. But you all don’t hold all the responsibility. Personally, I’ve had it up to here with these games.

The first person you hugged in South Africa was Busquets. Are you surprised that it was him that was involved in this mess?

I get along really well with Busquets. That’s the truth. He’s a great kid, excellent, and I can’t say anything bad about him. But on the field, there are moments when things get to you because a lot is at stake. He defends Barcelona and I defend Madrid. In a given moment, he does something that is wrong, and it’s alright. There’s no need to rehash it. Making amends is for wise people.

What will it mean for Madrid to be the top scoring team and to have the pichichi?

We’ve talked about it, and we agreed that since we’re not in the race for any titles, it would be nice to score many goals and help Cristiano. We would like to have a Madrid player as the pichichi and Golden Boot.

According to Marca, the game in Angola, scheduled for May 25, has been canceled. The Angolan government decided not to go ahead with the game, saying that they don’t have enough time to adequately make all the necessary preparations for the game. Madrid is considering scheduling another friendly for that day, and are assessing the viability of playing one of those teams that are ascending to the first division, such as Betis or Rayo Vallecano.

The team returns to training tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Castilla is already preparing for the playoffs! They trained in the Bernabéu this morning (it gave MFC goosebumps), the site of their first playoff game on Sunday, in order to get acclimated to the playing surface and the site.

Castilla will also have their first concentración of the season before this game, as they will sleep in a hotel the night before the game. And here’s what looks to be an excited Mandi in the locker room, tweeted by Denis.

Speaking of Castilla, Madrid’s site has an interview with MSFC Juan Carlos, and while the interview itself is not that interesting, the accompanying pictures are adorable. Here are my favorites, and you can view the rest here.

That’s how the players of RM should speak, gracias Captaino! I loved how even when he was asked about Busquets, his answer was very well calcuated to the point he didn’t offend his spanish team-mate but he didn’t offend Marcelo.

See, not happy the AA team + xabi + ramos, I am still disappionted with them 😦

Round of applause for Iker! This man is perfection and I’m sooo proud that he is our captain! I love his honestly and the fact that he speaks from his heart. Preach on Iker, yes being a wise adult means owning up to your mistakes not hiding behind them, yeah I’m looking at you Pique and Busquets.

I gotta say I agree with San Iker, after the 4 clasicos, I still have a bad taste in my mouth. On one hand I want the whole UEFA drama to go away on the other hand there has been so much injustice that I just can’t let it go. 😦 I want the UEFA to man up and be a better organization because its clear they are more leanant to certain teams.

Why am I not surprised that there is a button down shirt hanging in front of Xabi’s place? Even if it belongs to a visiting Castilla player, the club probably specifically asked for whatever player was planning to wear such a shirt to use Xabi’s seat, in order to maintain the integrity of the space.

Thank you so much unamadridista, you’re doing a great job for Real Madrid. I hope you get more recognition for your work.

I really like the words of el capitano when he said making amends is for wise people, I think it’s time we all moved on. Next season will start with two el clasico’s I can’t wait to see us lift the Super Cup!

I can only clap for Iker and be happy that we have such an amazing captain( turning 30 2morrow:) ).
He knows how to be nice but say the truth as well. I don’t agree with Barcelona fans who say that he shouldn’t have said that Busquets was really saying “mono” because he is the captain of the Spanish national team! Iker is Marcelo’s captain too!

How would you feel if you were a player who received a racist comment and then your Captain doesn’t defend you or sides with the other guy? Sergio made a terrible mistake, he is the one at fault here not Marcelo or Iker. It would be nice if he apologizes to him privately at least.

” In a given moment, he does something that is wrong, and it’s alright. There’s no need to rehash it. ”

Oh Iker, I don’t approve. Everything else was absolutely perfect up until that entire question, imo. It’s not alright! I understand the need to reassure the media/the world that la selección won’t suffer but don’t just excuse it like that, please.

Another excellent round-up, Una! I love how excited the Castilla players are to play at the Bernabéu, hoping for a great result for them on Sunday (tho it’s a shame Carva can’t play). Last I heard, Lopetegui said him, Morata, and Sarabia could be free for the vuelta on the 29th though, which is good news for Castilla!

I’m very happy with what Iker said. However, this section gave me pause: “*In a given moment, he does something that is wrong, and it’s alright. There’s no need to rehash it. * Making amends is for wise people.”

I think I understand what he’s saying, but I don’t think that what Busquets did was “alright” because it was said in the heat of the moment. Am I misinterpreting the translation, una?

I see that he’s saying that we shouldn’t keep harping on it and they all need to make peace, but the first part of the statement is what is bothering me.

Love this interview. What a perfect example of what a good captain is. The pictures of Iker & the trophies are fantastic too.

I really appreciate his response to the Marcelo incident. He’s basically calling Busquets out to apologize. Maybe Busquets will but if he does, I doubt it will be until after the season when any punishment won’t impact the Champions’ League. AND San Iker did not say he was “happy” for Busquets. Well done captain!

How exciting for the Castilla! How cute are they in all their excitement and posts! Best of luck to the guys. Any idea if it’s being streamed on the net, Una?

“In a given moment, he does something that is wrong, and it’s alright. There’s no need to rehash it. Making amends is for wise people.”

I have issues with his wording of this, specifically the “it’s alright” part of the statement, but overall I see his point. As much as I would like to condemn Busquets for life, it’s true that everyone does things that are wrong and things that they regret, and that single act doesn’t define our entire persons. But while I can completely understand why Iker wants to bury the incident and forgive and forget, I guess I’m still having some trouble with it.

“In a given moment, he does something that is wrong, and it’s alright. There’s no need to rehash it.”

Oh no, Iker 8/. Everything was perfect until then…this sounds like Pep saying that Busquets’ actions were merely a “mistake”. I get he’s the Captain of the NT and has to be diplomatic, and that the questions were leading, but that wasn’t the best thing to say.

I’m glad he said “Making Amends is for wise people”, Busquets STILL hasn’t apologized. My goodness, even children are taught to say sorry when they have done something wrong–granted saying a racial slur is more significant than regular offenses, but the fact he STILL hasn’t apologized and continues to deny to save his ass boggles my mind.